Board Commentary Together Each Accomplishes More – TEAM!

by Stephanie Jung, Area 5 Director

As I sit down to write this article, I look out the window and the most prevalent color is white from all the snow in our yard. It has been an interesting winter/ early spring for everyone across the country, from snowstorms to floods, to mud and tornadoes. Each of our areas have had their challenges with some extra work to care for our livestock and family. The positive throughout these hard times and destruction is the people helping each other get through the trials and devastation. Together they are stronger and they can accomplish more.

It is similar within our Red Angus breed; producers are stronger together. Looking back at the last few months and seeing all the Red Angus sales across the country makes me pause and appreciate the versatility of our breed. We have a breed that flourishes in weather of all kinds across the entire country.

Red Angus is gaining popularity in the commercial cow-calf sector, purebred world and in the show ring. Producers raise cattle with many different goals in mind, but each is also promoting the Red Angus breed every time cattle are sent to market or are the topic of conversation with neighbors and friends. Producers are working together within our breed even though we do not always think of it that way.

This leads me to my next thought of stewardship within our breed. A good steward can be defined as one that uses material and resources responsibly, or as a generous giving of your time or talent. As one of your directors, I appreciate the phone calls and emails to ask questions about topics or to offer thoughts or opinions. The time spent speaking with you is valued and I often replay those conversations in my head while doing chores.

During a conversation a few weeks ago, someone stated we are all on team Red Angus, and our conversation went on to discuss how it doesn’t matter how many head you register, commercial Red Angus you manage, where you live or how you market your cattle. What matters is that you have Red Angus. Each time someone in our breed succeeds or a new person joins our breed it really does help all of us in the long run.

Every one of us has the opportunity to meet with other Red Angus producers at various times throughout the year. Many times, we learn from the speakers at those events but, more often than not, we are refueled, recharged and energized by conversation held with others in attendance. That precious time is spent as stewards to our breed.

I personally challenge each of you to take some time to attend a RAAA event, to read through the Red Angus Strategic Plan and look around the website to see the information offered there. I also encourage you to watch the tutorials on the website on how and when to submit data, and I encourage you to ask questions so you can learn about this great breed. Be a wonderful steward to our breed and utilize all the resources to raise the best Red Angus cattle possible. It is an exciting time to be in the cattle industry.

May your days always be filled with sunshine; may the wind not blow too strong or too little and may you get just the right amount of moisture this summer. //

RAAA National Office

18335 E. 103rd Ave., Suite 202

Commerce City, CO 80022

(940) 387-3502 | FAX (888) 829-6069

Email: info@redangus.org

RedAngus.org

RAAA National Staff

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Tom Brink Ext. 4 | tombrink@redangus.org

DIRECTOR OF BREED IMPROVEMENT

Lindsay Upperman, Ph.D. Ext. 29 | lindsay@redangus.org

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Halla Pfeiff Ext. 10 | halla@redangus.org

REDSPRO & REGISTRY SPECIALIST

Kaitlyn Fulmer Ext. 6 | kaitlyn@redangus.org

REDSPRO & REGISTRY SPECIALIST

Stephanie Johnson Ext. 26 | stephanie@redangus.org

MEMBER SERVICES & DNA SPECIALIST

Ryan Starkey Ext. 5 | ryanstarkey@redangus.org

DNA DATA PROGRAMS COORDINATOR

Kai Miranda Ext. 24 | kai@redangus.org

DATABASE AND REGISTRATION CONSULTANT

Kenda Ponder Ext. 15 | kenda@redangus.org

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & JUNIOR PROGRAMS

Kim Heller, Ph.D. (515) 851-2019 | juniors@redangus.org

PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Tracey Koester (701) 391-5440 | tracey@redangus.org

EDITOR & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Brandi Buzzard Frobose (785) 448-0239 | brandi@redangus.org

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Lisa Bryant (405) 766-8942 | lisa@redangus.org

SHOW SPECIALIST

Erin Dorsey (970) 396-5420 | erin@redangus.org

ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR

Janet Russell Ext. 11 | janet@redangus.org